Chandigarh, September 23:- In a significant decision concerning street vendors, the Appellate Authority headed by Chandigarh Mayor Sh. Saurabh Joshi has decided 150 appeals relating to vending licences/sites, outstanding vending fees and orders concerning street vendors across the city.

The proceedings also specifically addressed the concerns of vendors allotted sites in the Sector 52 and Sector 53 Vending Zones, who represented that they had been unable to start their businesses at the allotted locations due to nil customer footfall.

Taking their representation into consideration, the Appellate Authority has provided such vendors an opportunity to indicate their preference for vacant vending sites in other vending zones across Chandigarh. Availability and allotment of such sites will be considered by the Municipal Corporation through a draw of lots, as per the applicable procedure.

Fresh opportunity to clear outstanding dues

Of the 150 appeals, 59 appeals were filed against cancellation of vending licences/sites on account of non-payment of pending vending fees and other dues. These appellants have been given an opportunity to clear their outstanding amount in three instalments, subject to the terms of the respective orders.

In another 44 cases, where vendors had earlier been given an opportunity to clear their dues but could not deposit the amount within the stipulated period, the Appellate Authority has granted a final one-month opportunity for payment of the outstanding dues.

Further, 47 appeals filed by the Vendor Cell, Municipal Corporation Chandigarh, against orders of the Grievance Redressal and Dispute Resolution Committee (GRDRC) were also heard and decided.

Mayor-cum-Chairperson of the Appellate Authority Sh. Saurabh Joshi said:

“Street vending is directly linked with the livelihood of families. At the same time, the prescribed rules and procedures have to be followed. Our effort is to give vendors a reasonable opportunity to clear their dues and, particularly in the case of Sectors 52 and 53, provide a fair process for considering available alternative vending sites where they can practically pursue their livelihood.”

The decisions seek to balance livelihood concerns with statutory compliance, while providing affected vendors reasonable opportunities to regularise their dues and pursue vending in accordance with the prescribed framework.

Councillor Sh. Mahesh Inder Sidhu and Councillor Smt. Taruna Mehta, members of the Appellate Authority, along with concerned officers of the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh, were also present during the proceedings.